As you would imagine, family law exclusively focuses on familial issues, like child support and custody orders, filing for divorce, and prenuptial agreements. A family law attorney should have in-depth experience in these areas, which means they should be able to offer superior legal services. Remember, when you need an attorney, it’s important to hire someone who primarily practices in the area of family law.
Common Reasons to Hire a Family Law Attorney
Divorce is probably the most common reason people hire a lawyer who focuses on family law, but it’s not the only reason. An experienced family law attorney can also help resolve child custody battles or child support issues. Of course, spousal support issues are also included on this list, among other things.
The Benefits of Hiring an Attorney
There are many benefits to hiring professional legal counsel. A skilled lawyer can prevent your former (or soon-to-be former) spouse from bullying you. Without a good family law attorney by your side, you may give in to unreasonable demands. A lawyer can also guide you through the process and help you avoid making costly mistakes. Because this is their area of expertise, a family law attorney will also have a solid sense of what’s fair and what will hold up in court. They will also be able to walk you through what you’re reasonably entitled to.
The Most Common Family Law Disputes
Unfortunately, child custody issues are the most common cases that end up in family court. In the midst of a divorce (or break-up if the parents were never married), couples often have differing opinions on how their children should be raised, as well as what is fair in terms of child custody and child support payments. Sometimes a lawyer can help you reach a compromise.
There are different ways to structure visitation and custody agreements. For example, summers primarily with one parent, and the school year primarily with the other. Or, one week on, one week off. Some parents divide their time up a little differently. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but the court will intervene if no agreement can be reached. The point is to cause as little disruption as possible to the child’s life, but, of course, that’s not entirely possible when it comes to divorce proceedings.
Mediation Services
Some attorneys also offer mediation services to help their clients avoid a costly court battle. While mediation isn’t the right course of action for all family law cases, there are times when it can be greatly beneficial in improving communication. It can reveal new insights, reduce conflict, and provide solutions when people are willing to work together.
Schedule a Free Consultation
When you need a San Ramon family law attorney, contact us at Whipple, Mercado & Associates. We will strive to achieve your legal goals. You can schedule a free consultation, or contact our office by calling 925-344-5050.